Smart oil cap with adaptive plug

ABSTRACT

The smart cap includes at least one replaceable rubber band that is used to plug the smart cap into the oil inlet of the automobile. Because the rubber band can compress and expand inside the oil inlet, the band provides a snug fix to various number oil cap sizes, i.e., the diameter of the oil inlet. Furthermore, the band can be used to grip the inner threads of the oil inlet and plugged in the ear, slot type oil inlets. Once the smart cap is inserted, a funnel can be inserted into the opposite end of the rubber band for pouring the motor oil. The smart cap can also be implemented with slots. These slots are used to insert an adaptor. This adaptor can be made with a wing, ear, and slot type oil cap. Hence, when a car is a wing type oil cap, the smart cap can be inserted with a wing type oil cap to be screwed into the oil valve, and a funnel can be inserted in the opposite end for pouring of the engine oil. The inventive smart cap is particularly useful on engines with baffle plates under the oil valve.

This invention relates generally to an adaptive plug that can be attached with a funnel that will not allow oil spills during oil change.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

It is known that there are approximated 70 plus different models of oil caps in the market and differing between make and model of the automobile. The oil cap can be thread, slot, ear, wing type. Oil caps with threads differ in terms of size and design of the threads.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,983 discloses an oil cap having a self contained funnel, see FIG. 1. The problem is that the oil cap can only be attached to a particular make and model of the car.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,502 discloses a funnel integrated with screw threads that can directly attach to the engine. In so doing, during oil change, the lid of the funnel can be opened to pour in the oil without spillage. The problem again is that the No spill oil filler 20 is customized for the make and model of the car.

Currently, oil changes traditionally only use a funnel to perform oil change. Many funnel designs are commercially available varying in size, design and function. These funnels are inserted into the oil inlet to allow easy pouring of engine oil into the engine.

The use of the funnel has not been a problem. However, not all cars allow easy access of the funnel. In particular, Toyota cars such as the Camry, Avalon, Lexus, and Corolla include a baffle plate right below oil inlet. The baffle plate makes it difficult for the funnel to the properly inserted into oil inlet for easy pouring. The person performing the oil change has to tilt the funnel into oil inlet, hold the funnel, and then pour in the oil slowly to avoid spillage. This process is time consuming and cumbersome.

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of prior inventions by using a smart cap for stopping oil spillage for various make and model of cars during oil change.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The smart cap includes a replaceable rubber band/O'Ring insert that is used to plug the smart cap into the oil inlet of the automobile. Because the rubber band can compress and expand inside oil inlet, the band provides a snug fix to various number oil cap sizes, i.e., the diameter of oil inlet. The band can also be gripped by the inner threads of the valve cover oil inlet or plugged into the ears or slot type oil inlet. Once the smart cap is in placed, a funnel can be inserted into the either ends for pouring the motor oil. The smart cap can also be made with slots. These slots are used to insert an adaptor(s). This adaptor can be made with a wing type or ear type oil cap. Hence, when a car is ear type oil cap, the smart cap can insert the ear type adaptor into the slots.

Furthermore, the smart cap can also be implemented with two replaceable rubber bands on opposite ends varying in size. In particular, the each neck is concaved to support the replaceable rubber bands. Each neck is customized to fit different number of oil sizes and type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of traditional funnel used in oil change.

FIG. 2 is a view of smart cap with a funnel inserted one end with two o'ring inserts.

FIG. 3 is a view a top view of the smart cap without the funnel.

FIG. 4.1 is a view the smart cap to be inserted in a baffle plate engine with thread type oil inlet.

FIG. 4.2 is a partial view of same smart cap to be inserted in a baffle plate engine with ear type oil inlet.

FIG. 5 is a view another embodiment of the smart cap to be inserted in thread type oil inlet.

FIG. 6 is a view of same embodiment of the smart cap with an adaptor to be inserted in ear type oil inlet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 discloses a traditional use of the funnel during oil change. The funnel is inserted into the oil inlet and oil is poured into the funnel. The motor oil is pour slowly into the funnel to stop spillage. In this case, the engine does not include a baffle plate the funnel stands upright. However, if the engine includes a baffle plate, the oil inlet is blocked and the funnel needs to be tilted and handed during pouring of the motor oil.

FIG. 2 discloses a smart cap (1) with a funnel, (1.1) inserted on top. The Smart cap (1) includes a first neck (2.1), first concave (2), a first washer (3), an ergonomic grip (4), a second washer (3.1), a second neck (2.3), a second concave (2.2), and a input/output (5). FIG. 2 also discloses two replaceable rubber O'Ring inserts (6) and (6.1). The first neck (2.1) includes an opening to insert any commercially available funnel. Not shown in FIG. 1, the opening can be slightly angled to insert the funnel (1.1). Near the center of the first neck (2.1) and second neck (2.3) are concaves (2) and (2.2) to place the replaceable O'Ring insert (6) and (6.1). The O'Ring insert (6) and (6.1) are circular and snuggly fit around the concave (2) and (2.2) and can be differing is size and circumference. The washer (3) and (3.1) are used to stop leakage from the oil inlet when oil is poured in the funnel. The diameter of the first neck (2.1) and second neck (2.3) can be different to accommodate for different size oil inlets.

FIG. 4.1 discloses exemplary embodiment of the invention. The Smart cap (1) with a funnel (1.1) is inserted into threaded type oil inlet (8) of the baffle plate (9) engine A. The bottom neck (2) is inserted with a replaceable rubber O'ring (6.1). The Smart cap (1) can be plugged or twisted into the oil inlet (8) to be gripped by the inner threads (5). The diameter of the first neck (2) is smaller than the diameter of the oil inlet (8). The extended diameter caused by the rubber O'ring (6.1) can be slightly longer or equal to the diameter of the oil inlet (8).

FIG. 4.2 discloses a partial view of the same Smart cap (1) with a funnel (1.1) of FIG. 4.1. The bottom neck (2) can be plugged or twisted into the ear type oil inlet of (10). Once the rubber O'ring (6.1) is plugged or twisted in, the washer 3.1 can stop leakage of oil during pouring.

FIG. 5 discloses another exemplary embodiment of the invention. A funnel (1.1) is inserted into the opening of the Smart cap (1) to be inserted into the thread type oil inlet of the valve cover A. The top portion of the Smart cap (1) includes a first neck (2) and at least two slots (8). The slots are used to insert different number of adaptors and also provide resistance in opening and closing of the oil cap. The slots can be modified with a thread type. In the center of the smart cap (1) includes a hand grip (8). The hand grip can be any design ergonomic to the hand. Below the grip is a washer (4) for stopping leakage when the smart cap (1) is inserted into the oil inlet (9). Below the washer (4) is the second neck (2.1) and includes a concave (2.3) for supporting the replaceable O'ring insert (5). The second neck (2.1) is plugged or twisted into the inner threads (7) of oil inlet (9).

FIG. 6 discloses another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The same Smart cap (1) of FIG. 5 is inverted with the funnel (1.1) inserted on top. FIG. 6 also discloses an ear type Adaptor to be inserted into the Smart Cap (1) via slots (8) and slot inserts (8.1). Once adaptor is inserted, the Smart cap (1) can be twisted into the ear oil inlet (11).

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to by the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1.) A Smart cap used for spill free oil change comprising: a opening for a funnel to be inserted; an hand grip portion; a first neck with a concave; a first washer; a replaceable rubber band placed around the concave portion; wherein the first neck with the replaceable rubber band is plugged or twisted into a oil inlet of a car for performing oil changes. 2.) The cap according to claim 1, wherein the replaceable rubber band is O'ring and circular. 3.) The cap according to claim 1, further comprising a slot Insert for inserting an adaptor on to the cap. 4.) The cap according to claim 3, wherein said adaptor can be adapted a wing, slot, ear type oil caps. 5.) The cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap includes a second neck. 6.) The cap according to claim 6, wherein the cap includes a second neck with a second concave portion for holding a second replaceable rubber band. 7.) The cap according to claim 7, wherein the second neck has a different diameter than the first neck. 8.) The cap according to claim 7, wherein the second replaceable rubber band has a different size and circumference than the rubber band. 